Dayne Savage sparks Caribou boys past Hermon, into EM Class B final

Caribou's Dayne Savage lays in the ball during the first half action a boys Class B semifinal game against Hermon on Wednesday afternoon at the Cross Insurance Center.

Linda Coan O'Kresik | BDN

Linda Coan O'Kresik | BDN

Hermon's Tyler Beaton jumps over Caribou's Matthew Milliard as they both scramble for a loose ball in the first half of a Class B semifinal game Wednesday at the Cross Insurance Center. Caribou won the game.

Linda Coan O'Kresik | BDN

Linda Coan O'Kresik | BDN

Caribou's Matthew Milliard gets by Hermon's defense and puts up a shot during the first half of a boys Class B semifinal game Wednesday afternoon at the Cross Insurance Center.

Linda Coan O'Kresik | BDN

Linda Coan O'Kresik | BDN

Hermon's Tyler Thayer drives by Caribou's Matthew Milliard in the second half of a Class B semifinal game Wednesday at the Cross Insurance Center.

“This is the first time we’ve played them where one guy has had that kind of a game and he [Dayne Savage] had a great game today,” said Hermon coach Mark Reed. “They usually hurt us with the way they spread out their offense.”

It was the third win of the season for the Vikings over the Hawks (12-9). Caribou’s defense was able to take away most of Hermon’s options other than senior guard Tyler Thayer, who finished with 26 points on 9-for-24 shooting.

“We thought if we could rotate three or four guys guarding him, he would start to break down,” Casavant said. “I’m not sure that he did, but it was a good thought.”

Sophomore Tyler Beaton contributed nine points for the Hawks, while junior Joe Plummer posted four points and six rebounds.

Dayne Savage helped the Vikings start well. He scored four points during a 12-0 first-quarter spurt that gave them a 14-4 lead. Caribou never trailed after that.

The Vikings scored eight points in the last 1:39 of the period. Dayne Savage’s steal led to a fast-break layup by his brother Donovan, then Dayne threw in a runner from the lane. Manter made a steal that led to Herbert’s fast-break scoop shot and Dayne Savage snipped a 16-foot jumper with five seconds left in the quarter to send the Vikings on their way.

“[Dayne Savage] relies on his quickness and that quick first step,” Casavant said. “He is such a good passer, too, that if you start to float, the big guys know to cut to the hoop and Dayne will find you.”

Hermon was within 11 after three, but Milliard sandwiched a conventional three-point play and a 16-footer around a Thayer 3-pointer, then Dayne Savage slashed to the hoop to make it 45-30 with 4:58 remaining.